Two Dutch peacekeepers killed in Mali - public television

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Two Dutch soldiers have been killed participating in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali, public television reported on Wednesday, citing official sources.

Some 450 Dutch soldiers are participating in the mission to the West African country, which has been wracked by violence despite a peace deal signed last year between Mali's government and separatist groups, which failed to prevent periodic violence in northern Mali by Islamist militants.

No further details were immediately available. The Dutch defense ministry was due to hold a news conference later on Wednesday evening.